Need advice about what to do with the kittens my cat gave birth to

So my cat had her kittens but I didn't know where she had them. several hours later I found them in a box because of their meowing. She hadn't even done anything to them except give birth to them. They haven't been cleaned up or even fed yet and I think about two of them have already died. What should I do? Should I try clean them up and feed them or just leave them alone? My cat doesn't know how to take care of them and two are already dead. I need advice.

thecatlovergirl said:

 
So my cat had her kittens but I didn't know where she had them. several hours later I found them in a box because of their meowing. She hadn't even done anything to them except give birth to them. They haven't been cleaned up or even fed yet and I think about two of them have already died. What should I do? Should I try clean them up and feed them or just leave them alone? My cat doesn't know how to take care of them and two are already dead. I need advice.

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I shall write some, wait...  But if you want them to live, you must yourself work on it, yes.  OR find someoene else who is willing. - which is difficult.

thecatlovergirl said:

 
So my cat had her kittens but I didn't know where she had them. several hours later I found them in a box because of their meowing. She hadn't even done anything to them except give birth to them. They haven't been cleaned up or even fed yet and I think about two of them have already died. What should I do? Should I try clean them up and feed them or just leave them alone? My cat doesn't know how to take care of them and two are already dead. I need advice.

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OK, at first, keep them warm.  Which means you must warm up them actively.   Make a nice cozy nest, preferably fleece or flannel in there.

A good site for orphans is www.kitten-rescue.com.  We do also have articles about hand rearing of kittens.

Cleaning up is really not the highest priority if you dont know how to.

You must get something to eat for them, kitten mothermilk replacement, a so called  kmr - the brand made by PetAg KMR in pulver is best.  

Goat milk, raw/fresh or bottled works too nicely.  This you can get in most big supermarkets, at their diary shelfves, where they do have alternative milk products.

Use a small syringe (without needle) or a dropper. Tummy down, head up, body may be diagonally up.   In the corner of the mouth, in the cheek, slowly.

If they swallow actively, good, you can do it quicker, but if they dont swallow actively, take it very easy and slow.   Dont risk anything goes into the wrong throat.

Dont give too much, so not risk reflux.

Burp them afterwards.

Get home glucose sugar, may be called for dextrose or similiar.   If you dont have, White caro syrup or honey is useful.   This is useful to perking life in weak, lethargic kittens - smear a little on their gum!

Useful also for home made pedialyte.

If it is night at your place, and you dont have any shops open, you can mix some sugar water (these sugars mentioned above) and a trifle of salt, and give them with a dropper to begin with.   Dehydration as almost as big enemy as being too cold.

If you can get a scale measuring in grammes, its wise to weigh them, at least once a day, but till they have stabilized, perhaps even every 12 hours.  its the easist way to know how they are faring, if they gain, or not...  They shall gain minimim 6 grammes a day, but 10+ is what you wish.

If you dont have gears at home, try ask your neibours.  In dramatic moments of needs, most will help you if they can, if you ask them.  Even folks who normally dont talk with you much.   Who knows, some neigbour is perhaps used to help small kittens or rabbits or puppies...

You must also stimulate them after each feeding, so they poo and pee. 

 I think its most important.   Lotsa work, and often scary and difficult,  but in a way, its pleasure too!

Re their mom, with a little luck her instincts may kick in after a while.  But till then, you are on your own.

Quinn said roughly the same things as me, written in better english.  

Please continue to report and ask!

Good luck!

This is so sad, I am sorry to hear.

Personally, I would gather the kittens, clean them off, and then put them in a warm, dry box with towels, away from any windows or anywhere that would cause a draft. I would even put a heating pad under the towels on a low temperature. The kittens are so young and cannot produce their own body heat, and since they won't be getting any warmth from their mother, the heating pad will work wonders. You will need to go to your local pet store and pick up some kitten supplement formula. The kittens are so little that they probably won't suckle on a bottle, so you will need some syringes. They will need to eat every 2-3 hours, and it will be quite the full-time job, but I'd rather do it than watch innocent little kittens die when I know I could've helped. You can also feed them goats milk, which can be found at your local grocery store. It may be a little hard on their tummies, so I do recommend the kitten formula instead. But then again, it's better than nothing. Please read up on hand-feeding kittens. Like I said, it will take a lot of time and effort but it will be worth it. Just do everything you can, and in the mean time, hope for the mama's natural motherly instinct to kick in. This is strange behaviour, but then again it is not unheard of.

Keep me posted and let me know how they do! I'd love to see a picture of the little babies

How are they looking?  All fury, decently thick?

Or big parts without hairs, and scrawny almost as chicken?

If all hairy and thick, they have decent chances with your help.

If hairless,  thin limbs, scarwny, they are premature, and such could explain why the mom wasnt mentally prepared for them.

They can perhaps be saved if you fight on vigorously enough, but you must know, prematures are always a fight uphill.

So do your best, but dont be desperate nor depressed if they dont make it.

StefanZ said:

 

OK, at first, keep them warm.  Which means you must warm up them actively.   Make a nice cozy nest, preferably fleece or flannel in there.

A good site for orphans is www.kitten-rescue.com.  We do also have articles about hand rearing of kittens.

Cleaning up is really not the highest priority if you dont know how to.
You must get something to eat for them, kitten mothermilk replacement, a so called  kmr - the brand made by PetAg KMR in pulver is best.  
Goat milk, raw/fresh or bottled works too nicely.  This you can get in most big supermarkets, at their diary shelfves, where they do have alternative milk products.

Use a small syringe (without needle) or a dropper. Tummy down, head up, body may be diagonally up.   In the corner of the mouth, in the cheek, slowly.
If they swallow actively, good, you can do it quicker, but if they dont swallow actively, take it very easy and slow.   Dont risk anything goes into the wrong throat.
Dont give too much, so not risk reflux.
Burp them afterwards.

Get home glucose sugar, may be called for dextrose or similiar.   If you dont have, White caro syrup or honey is useful.   This is useful to perking life in weak, lethargic kittens - smear a little on their gum!
Useful also for home made pedialyte.

If it is night at your place, and you dont have any shops open, you can mix some sugar water (these sugars mentioned above) and a trifle of salt, and give them with a dropper to begin with.   Dehydration as almost as big enemy as being too cold.

If you can get a scale measuring in grammes, its wise to weigh them, at least once a day, but till they have stabilized, perhaps even every 12 hours.  its the easist way to know how they are faring, if they gain, or not...  They shall gain minimim 6 grammes a day, but 10+ is what you wish.

If you dont have gears at home, try ask your neibours.  In dramatic moments of needs, most will help you if they can, if you ask them.  Even folks who normally dont talk with you much.   Who knows, some neigbour is perhaps used to help small kittens or rabbits or puppies...

You must also stimulate them after each feeding, so they poo and pee. 

 I think its most important.   Lotsa work, and often scary and difficult,  but in a way, its pleasure too!

Re their mom, with a little luck her instincts may kick in after a while.  But till then, you are on your own.


Quinn said roughly the same things as me, written in better english.  


Please continue to report and ask!

Good luck!

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Thank you very much StefanZ, I always try to be as informative as possible. You described everything very well! Hopefully these kittens have a great chance at life. They definitely deserve it.

Yo thanks lots for the advice but before I could do dat my kittens died

they're dead bro

Thankies

thecatlovergirl said:

they're dead bro

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thecatlovergirl said:

Yo thanks lots for the advice but before I could do dat my kittens died

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Awww I am very sorry to hear that. That breaks my heart...Please spay your female ASAP, so this accident isn't repeated in the future.

Good luck

Im sorry to hear that...  I hoped for good news, for them to living on with your help...   Although knowing weak orphans is always a fight uphill. 

Again, Im sorry. 

Tx a lot for caring and trying!

RIP little ones!

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